WHILE numerous hospitals across the state have reportedly failed to meet their target of having 14 days of available cash, comparatively Western District Health Service (WDHS) is tracking very well sitting at 10 days at the end of the financial year.

According to annual reports dumped in the Victorian Parliament on Thursday, in total, at least 31 health services from across the state failed to hit their target.

The news comes as the state’s hospitals faced record shortfalls last financial year tallying more than a $1 billion in deficits across the state.

Data in the annual reports for 2023-24 tabled in the Victorian Parliament revealed the extent of the financial crisis that the 68 hospitals across the state were facing.

The worst affected was Monash Health which reported deficits of $321,278,000.

WDHS chief executive, Rowena Clift said although Western District Health Service was slightly below target in 2023/24, a result of 10 days available cash was still very positive in the current environment and remained higher than that of several of their peer health services.

“Our cash position as at 30 June 2024 reflects a changed approach where health services were funded to meet their cash obligations,” she said.

“In 2023/24 WDHS continued to see growth in presentations to the emergency department and through our operating theatres.

“WDHS continues to ensure the financial sustainability of the health service, and as a result, healthcare services and programs for the community continue uninterrupted.”

Shadow health minister, Georgie Crozier said that the premier, Jacinta Allan had attempted to mislead the parliament on Thursday when asked about the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre having just half a day’s cash on hand,

Ms Crozier said the premier was wrong about the dire state of our health services’ finances.

“Under Premier Jacinta Allan, Victoria’s health services have recorded a more than $1 billion deficit, with 31 health services – including the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – having less than 14 days’ cash on hand across 2023-24,” she said.

“Instead of misleading Victorians, the Premier must take responsibility for the cash crisis engulfing Victoria’s health system and stop starving Victorian hospitals of desperately needed funding.”

A health department spokesperson said, “In 2023/24 the target of 14 days of cash reserves for health services was waived – as part of ongoing financial reforms in the health system”.

“For 2024/25 we’ve significantly reformed the way we fund health services, with an uplift in the price we pay hospitals for the care they deliver and transitioning from outdated base funding into more activity-based funding arrangements. 

“This means services are now paid a fairer price for the activity they deliver – rather that funding being distributed inadequately across the system.”